Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 10 Oct 2000

Vol. 523 No. 4

Written Answers. - Peace and Reconciliation Programme.

John Perry

Question:

102 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Finance the plans he has to make funding for community groups available to enable a continuation of work until negotiations on the next round of EU structural funds are complete and the new operational programmes are in place in view of the fact that the Northern Ireland Minister, Mr. Dodds, has announced a £2 million fund in this regard; the further plans he has to match this funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21043/00]

John Perry

Question:

103 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the serious concerns regarding the current peace and reconciliation funding programmes for community projects and, in particular, the next round of Peace 11 funding in view of the fact it will not be in place to allow the continuation of many projects and much of the work achieved by these projects will be lost; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that up to 100 named employees in the area will be terminating contracts by the end of 2000 with resultant loss of support and services to voluntary and community activists in the southern Border counties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21044/00]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 102 and 103 together.

I refer the Deputy to the press release in this matter which I issued on 9 October last. As indicated in this press release I am making available a £2 million funding package in support of groups providing employment under the Peace and Reconciliation Programme – 1995-1999. The funding package will be made available through and managed by the Area Development Management – Combat Poverty Agency partnership based in Monaghan. The funding package will allow existing groups which support employment in the border counties to continue operating until funding under the new programme comes on stream early in 2001.

Question No. 104 taken with Question No. 101.